Robie Creek To Amp Up Security After Boston Marathon Bombing

The Idaho running community will celebrate the 36th annual Race to Robie Creek this Saturday. But the half marathon has taken on new meaning for racers since two bombs went off near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

Almost 2,500 runners will compete at the Race to Robie Creek this weekend.

Credit Sadie Babits / Boise State Public Radio

Brian Rencher has helped plan this weekend's race. He says organizers have been talking with the Boise Police Department and the Boise County Sheriff’s office about Monday’s bombing.

“They felt like we needed to do something a little different with our security and our medical staff and things along those lines," Rencher says.

Rencher says medical staff will be on site as usual, and only people who bought spectator passes will be allowed near the finish line. There will be an increased security presence throughout the course. Rencher is not aware of any runners who have dropped out of the race out of fear.

Brian Baker will be among the runners undeterred by what happened in Boston. He's run the Boston Marathon twice, and plans to do it again next year. He says the bombing has strengthened his resolve to train for Boston. Baker recognizes that Robie Creek runners will be thinking about what happened in Boston.

“You know there’s going to be that fear," Baker says. "I’m just hoping that it’s far from founded and we’re able to move past the initial shock and be able to deal with the situation we’ve been dealt. And life goes on.”

Baker and his wife will celebrate their 8th anniversary at the top of Robie Creek. They were married at the summit in 2005. Nearly 2,500 people will run from downtown Boise into the foothills and finish at the Robie Creek campground Saturday.